Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Talk of the Town - 1st in the Daughters of the Great Depression series
Author: Fran Baker
Publisher: Gale/Five Star
ISBN-13: 978-1-4328-2539-3
Release Date: August 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1930’s/Blue Ridge, Missouri
Overall Rating: 3.5
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle/Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: None/Minimal
Fran's Website/Blog: www.franbaker.com
Dear Readers:
This is the first book in a new Depression-era series titled, Daughters of the Great Depression, which will be based on popular "period" songs, and offer readers an in-depth look at the time period that practically destroyed America. Not only was America getting back on its feet, but the people who lived in this country were trying hard to hold it together in order to feed their families and keep their neighbors and friends going.
Roxie Mitchell is a girl who is "talked about" by some of the older women in Blue Ridge. Not because she’s ever done anything wrong, mind you, but because Roxie is a twenty-five year-old unmarried woman who works, as well as a person who has a solid education and acts more like a man, at times, than a female. Roxie Mitchell had been far away from Blue Ridge for a time where she lived in St. Louis and had a big, happy life. However, Blue Ridge called her name.
Upon her return to the small, country town, Roxie’s life had to change in order to fit in to the local community, but her independent streak always remained. One day, Roxie is told by the old crones of the town to be very wary about a man who was about to come home. The man’s name is Luke Bauer. At one time he was a pure and utter troublemaker in Blue Ridge; a troublemaker who ended up in prison. Well, as far as Roxie is concerned, this man has paid for his crimes and deserves a second chance just like anyone else.
So, Roxie offers Luke a job at a local plant and begins to have lunches with him, trying her best to get to know him and give him a chance. Unfortunately for Roxie, she is overly attracted to this ex-con that everyone is whispering about behind his back - and she soon becomes part of the gossip.
Luke likes Roxie, a little too much, but he knows that the whole town - friend and foe - is watching them very closely, and he doesn’t want her to get hurt. Luke was just a stupid twenty-one-year-old kid when he was arrested, a kid who simply had a chip on his shoulder and made a mistake - which he has paid in full for. But, as Luke knows, small towns are absolutely unforgiving - and no one ever forgets one of your mistakes!
The author has done a fine job of bringing people back into the Depression-era, although the best parts of the story are the real looks at small-towns which still ring true today, and although there are a few parts which are a tad bit ‘slow,’ all in all it’s a good, solid read.
Until next time,
Amy
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